Artist's Description: 
To me, this photograph primarily resonates with the theme “Imperfect Present”. I took this
photograph of a stray cat laying on a street corner in Jeju City, Jeju Island. This photograph
seems to exhibit a strong sense of juxtaposition between the beauty/elegance of the cat, with its
glacial blue eyes and pink undertones, and the heartbreaking situation it faces, having to live
alone on the street with limited access to food and water. I see a resemblance to women;
despite the inner beauty and innocence of women, they can often be surrounded by negativity
and discrimination purely on the basis of their gender. When I saw this cat, I was extremely
saddened by the isolation and negligence that was so central to its lifestyle, and I hope that
everyone can empathize with women in a similar way instead of dismissing their ideas and
experiences.
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I also feel that there’s a strong sense of hurt or vulnerability depicted in the photograph. Upon
approaching the cat, I immediately noticed the cuts along her waterline and the dried blood
covering the tip of her nose. I also saw lots of dirt covering her delicate white fur, and from the
way she looked up at us longingly, I could tell she was pleading for love. Thus, I’d also like to
place this photograph in the perspective of “A Past of Protest” because for so long, women have
endured so much suffering and bigotry despite their purity. It’s important that we don’t forget the
years of injustices women experienced, such as denied access to education, unequal treatment
in wider communities, and domestic violence. We must acknowledge the innocence and value
of women, break the chain of inequality and move towards boundless respect.
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Artist's Description: 
I believe this photograph is best suited with the section “A Feminist Future”. I took this
photograph in the Outdoor Seoul Botanical Garden as the flowers began to blossom in the
Spring. To me, the rose blooming represents my hope for a season of empowerment and growth
in feminism across the world. With the onset of more feminist groups and social media
campaigns, we have become closer to transforming power dynamics and policies.

Furthermore, a rose is often used to symbolize female reproductive organs, with various
cultures and artistic representations using flowers to represent fertility. Through this photograph,
I aim to draw attention to the recent efforts to combat legislation restricting reproductive
healthcare. I believe that autonomy over reproduction is the key pillar of the overall health,
empowerment, and human rights of women. The beauty and intricacies of the rose pattern in
the photograph alludes to the physical and emotional significance of womens’ ability to control
their beautiful bodies.

I also think that the photograph pairs well with “A Past of Protest” as well. The rose also
embodies the years of strength, resilience, and vitality demonstrated by women who fought for
their rights in various facets of life, such as voting and workplace treatment. Both the vibrant
energy radiating from the rose and its ability to grow in various conditions, from lush gardens to
harsh environments, speak to its power to overcome challenges and thrive. Similarly, over the
past few decades, women have been able to use their powerful spirits to combat sexism with a
drive for change.
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